2002 Saturn LS Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 102about this part
- Share
- 21%of 493 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 102 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Saturn LS, 21% of the 493 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,500 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Smoke started coming from the turn signal switch in the steering wheel column it got worse and then the handle melted off and then in minutes the flames ignited and the car was completely inflamed. Right before this happened my daughter drove the car up the street to take my son to the bus stop when she brought it back home the smoke started from the steering wheel column. The car was parked in my driveway about 30 feet from my house”
NHTSA complaint #10794792, filed 2015-11, 175,000 miles“I was going to work & all out of the blue with no warning my timing chain broke & my car stopped in the middle of the highway & would not start back. Also, my tail light won't work because the plastic housing is broken.”
NHTSA complaint #10763570, filed 2015-09, 203,000 miles“I am a 3time Saturn owner--both my sl series were excellent! This l300 has been a disappontment. The odometer suddenly went form 43k to 694k (stuck) w/o warning or event. The dash trunk release stopped working. Im told the bcm (body control module) has to be replaced, at a cost of $600. This may be the Saturn that drives me back to toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10171677, filed 2006-10, 43,000 miles“Please help! My key and ignition are burning hot, my car doesn't always start, the power cuts off, the service engine light comes on and off and when I start it in the morning the exhaust is super strong. Gm told me I have to pay a dealer $110.00 to diagnose the problem that you have clearly defined and recalled in 2003 but I was never notified as the original owner for that recall. I broke my neck and am a single, disabled mom of a 12 year old. I do not want to be trapped in a fire or rearended and totally paralyzed or dead! What the heck is GM thinking? …”
NHTSA complaint #10649805, filed 2014-10, 88,000 miles“I own a 2002 Saturn l 300 6 cylinder 3.0 engine car. In june 2010 I had a throttle body issue withmy car (reduced power, check engine, service engine lights). I took it to a repair shop and it was diagnosed with a throttle body issue. I purchased the throttle body from GM directly and had it installed at an outside mechanic. Not knowing the electrical issues and computer programming issues around this car, I let the outside mechanic do the installation not know all the computer programming issues around this part. …”
NHTSA complaint #10409315, filed 2011-06, 125,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V231000Jun 23, 2003On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l l4 (l61) engines, a failure of the ignition control module may cause deterioration in idle quality, reduction…Covers: Saturn LS 2000–2002, L200 2003
Related service bulletins
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10233330Mar 10, 2023This bulletin provides an updated repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a musty odor from A/C system, most noticeable at vehicle start-up.
- 10123222Oct 3, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about what XM offerings are available for vehicles. A dealer or customer can access the website…
- 10118256Jun 12, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the programming and activation of the OnStar system. For many 2008 and prior model year GM…
- 10097132Sep 14, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an onstar system that will not power up. Technician should turn off the…
- 10083898Apr 27, 2016This preliminary information communication advises the technician if unable to place an onstar call in the ignition on mode after the onstar canada upgrade, to contact the gm…
- 10083484Apr 19, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to help the dealership technicians perform a parasitic drain test for the onstar module. When performing battery…
- 10078735Apr 19, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to help the dealership technicians perform a parasitic drain test for the onstar module. When performing battery…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Saturn LS
200 complaintsExterior lighting
69 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Saturn LS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology